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Here is a interesting thing.
On my latest blood tests, my AlkP had risen to 111 (the lab accepted range is up to 110). When I look at the trend, it has been steadily going up since january 2009, when it was at 60. This roughly correlates with me increasing my vitamin D3 intake by taking supplements. The rise has been steady (I have regular tests).
According to the web sites I found, high AlkP (alkaline phosphosate) indicates osteoblast activity - ie: bone being laid down. I have never had my D3 level tested (25(OD) whatever it is really called). This seems like an interesting proxy.
Anyone else noticed something similar since they upped their D3 levels?
Lyn
D3 result?
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I haven't looked at my AlkP numbers, if the test was done, but I do know that the osteoporosis doctor I saw told me that almost everyone with osteoporosis is not getting enough vitamin D. He prescribed a 50,000 unit weekly dose for me, but my test later showed that I wasn't deficient. I've always taken a supplement.
Now I'm curious if my AlkP numbers have increased over the years. I'll have to check to see if I've had the testing done.
Gloria
Now I'm curious if my AlkP numbers have increased over the years. I'll have to check to see if I've had the testing done.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Lyn,
No, because I failed to recognize it, when it was increasing, but I noticed the opposite effect, when I lowered my vitamin D intake.
You are definitely on to something. As a matter of fact, I posted about my ALP doing the same thing, just a few months ago.
Of course, old bone resorption goes along with the formation of new bone tissue, but I obviously didn't make the right connection, so I was concerned about the wrong thing. 
Interestingly, when I had blood tests done the following month, my ALP was down by 10 units, and my 25(OH)D level was down to 46. I have no idea what my vitamin D level was the previous month, because we didn't test for it, but I had cut my daily D3 supplement from 4500 IU to 2500 IU, (for summer), somewhere soon after this first blood test was done, (the last one that still showed an increasing ALP value). Incidentally, it's called a "twenty-five hydroxy D" test, and it's usually written either as 25 hydroxy D, or as 25(OH)D.
Thanks for discovering that connection. This may be another clue as to whether or not we're taking enough vitamin D, and doctors almost always order that test with a CBC, whereas the 25(OH)D test has to be specially ordered, and usually sent to an out-of-state lab.
Good work - here's your gold star
Tex
No, because I failed to recognize it, when it was increasing, but I noticed the opposite effect, when I lowered my vitamin D intake.
You are definitely on to something. As a matter of fact, I posted about my ALP doing the same thing, just a few months ago.
Silly me, I obviously didn't read the right reference, because I completely missed the osteoblast issue, and so I was concerned about bone resorption.The main reason why I want to do another blood test in a month, though, is because my alkaline phosphatase, (ALP), level has been slowly increasing for several months, and it's nearing the upper limit of the normal range. Elevated ALP levels can indicate blocked bile ducts, but if it were a liver issue, my AST and ALT levels should be elevated. since my AST and ALT levels are mid-range, there's a possibility that the ALP increase could be connect with a bone issue, such as bone resorption. Whatever the case, I plan to stay on top of it, before it gets out of hand.
Of course, old bone resorption goes along with the formation of new bone tissue, but I obviously didn't make the right connection, so I was concerned about the wrong thing. Interestingly, when I had blood tests done the following month, my ALP was down by 10 units, and my 25(OH)D level was down to 46. I have no idea what my vitamin D level was the previous month, because we didn't test for it, but I had cut my daily D3 supplement from 4500 IU to 2500 IU, (for summer), somewhere soon after this first blood test was done, (the last one that still showed an increasing ALP value). Incidentally, it's called a "twenty-five hydroxy D" test, and it's usually written either as 25 hydroxy D, or as 25(OH)D.
Thanks for discovering that connection. This may be another clue as to whether or not we're taking enough vitamin D, and doctors almost always order that test with a CBC, whereas the 25(OH)D test has to be specially ordered, and usually sent to an out-of-state lab.
Good work - here's your gold star
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I found my ALkP test results.
December 2002: 76
January 2003: 53
November 2004: 89
November 2005: 71
December 2006: 59
January 2008: 65
February 2009: 70
June 2010: 59
I probably began taking vitamin D3 supplements in 2008 when we began discussing the importance of it on the board. I take 3,000 units daily in the summer and 4,000 units daily in the winter. I used to take 1,000 units daily prior to 2008 and stopped eating dairy in August 2007.
My vitamin D level in February 2009 was 52. In June 2010, it was 62.5
My bone density test results:
November 1998: lumbar spine: -1.84, right hip: -.87
September 2005: lumbar spine: -2.6, left hip: -2.1
February 2009: lumbar spine: -2.8, left hip: -2.1
I resumed taking Fosamax in February 2009, and stopped in January 2010.
I also took Fosamax probably from September 2005 to July 2008, though I can't remember the exact dates.
Gloria
December 2002: 76
January 2003: 53
November 2004: 89
November 2005: 71
December 2006: 59
January 2008: 65
February 2009: 70
June 2010: 59
I probably began taking vitamin D3 supplements in 2008 when we began discussing the importance of it on the board. I take 3,000 units daily in the summer and 4,000 units daily in the winter. I used to take 1,000 units daily prior to 2008 and stopped eating dairy in August 2007.
My vitamin D level in February 2009 was 52. In June 2010, it was 62.5
My bone density test results:
November 1998: lumbar spine: -1.84, right hip: -.87
September 2005: lumbar spine: -2.6, left hip: -2.1
February 2009: lumbar spine: -2.8, left hip: -2.1
I resumed taking Fosamax in February 2009, and stopped in January 2010.
I also took Fosamax probably from September 2005 to July 2008, though I can't remember the exact dates.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Hmmmmmmmmmm. There seems to be a correlation between taking Fosomax, and your ALP test results. Your ALP declined while you were taking Fosomax, (beginning in 2005), except that it began to increase in 2008, after you started taking vitamin D, and it continued to increase until you began taking Fosamax again, in 2009, at which point it began to decrease, again, even though your 25(OH)D level was increasing.
Veeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrry interesting. The relationship appears to be very consistent. Since the bisphosphonates don't create new bone tissue, the changes in ALP may possibly be connected with other changes in bone structure, whenever a bisphosphonate is being used.
Tex
Veeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrry interesting. The relationship appears to be very consistent. Since the bisphosphonates don't create new bone tissue, the changes in ALP may possibly be connected with other changes in bone structure, whenever a bisphosphonate is being used.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.